Free Miras Last by Erin Elliott Page B

Nigora
comfortably situated, she went to work. She started with the more
serious elves and worked her way through the tent. By the end of
the evening, she’d started on some of the elves waiting outside for
Nigora’s aid. By the time Elenio arrived with a tray of food, she
was beginning to feel extremely tired and famished. Galena smiled
gratefully and went to him.
    “You are just the elf I wanted to see,” she
said, kissing him quickly on the cheek.
    “Yeah, that’s because I come bringing gifts,”
he joked for he knew food was the center of her thoughts.
    “True, then there is sleep, and of course my
thoughts turn to you,” she said grinning as she grabbed a loaf of
bread and wedge of cheese from the tray.
    “Always last,” Elenio said in mock
disgust.
    “That, my love, you’ll never be,” Galena
said, grinning broadly and causing Elenio to laugh at her when she
did. She’d shoved several bites of bread and cheese into her mouth,
giving her the look of a squirrel with its cheeks full of nuts.
Swallowing with as much dignity as she could muster and not
succeeding even in the slightest, caused Elenio to double over with
laughter, tears in his eyes. Galena realized this was the second
time today she caused someone so much mirth, they couldn’t stop
laughing at her. Galena ignored this for the most part and
continued eating.
    Finishing the tray in record time, she
secretly hoped part of it had been Elenio’s. Would serve him
right for laughing at me, she thought irritably. It seemed
every time she thought he had calmed down, he would turn to look at
her and start all over. “Have we heard anything about Rau’s army?”
Galena asked, as she rolled her eyes at another fit of laughter on
Elenio’s part. That sobered him up.
    “They pulled out early this morning and are
making their way toward Blackwell. Tark wants to stay here another
day and then pursue them.” Elenio brushed some of the crumbs off
the tray as he said this.
    “Why are we waiting another day?”
    “Some of the underground elves really overdid
it. Plus, he wants to make sure you’ve had plenty of time to
rest.”
    “Doesn’t he realize I don’t burn out like
other elves?”
    “Yes, but you still pushed yourself too hard
and with all the healing you did today. You’re going to need some
quiet time of your own to be at your best.”
    “I’m fi...” Galena started, but stopped when
Elenio raised a hand.
    “I don’t want to hear it. You passed out
twice in a little under two days. We all know you’re not going to
take it easy on any dark creature you come across so yes, you’re
going to rest before we head out. You’ve taken care of everyone
here today, the whole camp will attest to that, now it’s time to
take care of you.”
    Galena glared stonily at him, intent on
continuing the argument.
    “Galena, I know what you’re thinking and you
should know I’m not letting up on this. Tark agrees with me. He’s
the one leading this camp, so pipe down and let’s get back to our
own tent. The sooner you rest up, the sooner we can get going.”
    “You know, I’m getting tired of everyone
telling me what I can and can’t do.” Galena sat back in the chair
and crossed her arms angrily.
    “Yes, because we have been able to do that so
well and better yet, you always listen to us,” Elenio said, rolling
his eyes as he stood. He held out a hand to help Galena up, which
she considered briefly ignoring. “Galena, I’m not above going to
get Morgo and having him put you to sleep and dragging you back to
our tent that way. We’ve been going full steam for the last four
days you need a break. Now, let’s go.”
    Growling in frustration, Galena knew when she
was beaten, and she knew he was right. The tiredness she felt from
working on so many injured elves was starting to catch up with
her.
    “I knew you would see things my way,” Elenio
said smiling when he saw her thoughts.
    “Well, I guess you’re bound to be right once
in a